Three Things Parents Can Do To Support Their Preschool Child's Development
Pre-k age is where children are going through big emotional, mental, and physical changes, and it can be overwhelming for them. And for children that are attending preschool in Valrico, there is a lot of information and different learning that happens which they may need to process when they get home. It is therefore important that parents understand the role that they have in supporting their child’s learning.
There are four key things that parents can do to give the children the support that they need to grow, including providing emotional support, working with the teacher, sticking to a routine and helping prepare the child (if they are new to the preschool environment).
1. PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Parents can support their preschool-age children by providing emotional support for them. This can mean asking the child about their day, what they learned and how they felt. It can also mean spending some one-on-one time with them as they play quietly and process the day.
Children are now in a noisier, busier environment compared to what they are used to, which may need a period of adjustment as they learn ways to process all the activity. Every child’s needs are different, but by showing interest in their emotional state as well as their development will ensure that they are able to talk when issues come up, and it can reduce some of the feelings of being overwhelmed.
2. TALK TO THE TEACHERS
Most preschool teachers are passionate about the work that they do and the development of the children that they lead. Talking to them about the curriculum will give the parent ideas about activities that they can do at home to reinforce learning, as well as giving great input on topics of conversation that can be covered at dinnertime.
Teachers will also be able to provide guidance on where a child may need some extra help if they are struggling to grasp a concept. As the parent, it is then possible to approach the concept at home from a different perspective, in a more quiet environment where the child may be more receptive to learning.
3. KEEP TO A ROUTINE
Children thrive on routine, and setting up a regular schedule of activities and events can help to mitigate any feelings of anxiety that the child may have about going to preschool. This can include talking about their day while getting ready in the morning, as well as having a set wake up time and bedtime so that they know what to expect
4. ENSURE THAT THE CHILD IS PREPARED
If he/she is just starting preschool, try to visit the school a couple of times before they start going so that they become familiar with the layout of the school as well as having an understanding of what they can expect. It is also an opportunity to meet the teacher and to ask questions about routines that they follow and common activities. These routines and activities can then be introduced at home to build the child’s confidence in their own abilities as well as ensuring that when the child goes to preschool that some of the things they are exposed to will be at least somewhat familiar.
Kids R Kids Learning Academy of Valrico provides a loving community in which children are encouraged to participate, learn, and become confident in themselves. They work closely with parents to bring out the best in each child, focusing on well-rounded growth that includes physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development.
The family-owned and operated academy welcomes positive family involvement, encouraging a parent-teacher approach that prioritizes the needs of each individual child.
